Luteolin Supplements for Autism May Have Unwanted Consequences

Flavonoids are a category of nutritional substances found in over 6,000 different forms. Primarily, the provide plants with their many brilliant colors but also have a great deal of nutritional value for humans. Most function in the body as antioxidants, protecting against the damage done by oxygen-containing molecules. They are also anti-inflammatory and may contain antibiotic activity.

Although there is not yet a “daily recommended value” for flavonoids, it is important to get a variety of these nutrients in daily to protect against deficiency (symptoms include excessive bruising, nose bleeds, swelling after injury, and frequent infections.) They may also be the key for protecting the body against certain diseases.

One particular flavonoid called luteolin has been studied as a potential treatment for autism due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. A 2012 study published in the International Journal of Immunopathology Pharmacology found that children treated with a luteolin-based formulation had 75% improved GI and allergy symptoms, 50% improved eye contact and attention, 25% improved social interaction, and 10% resumed speech.

But as we all know, it takes more than one study to ensure that the results are accurate.

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A separate study, conducted at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, explored the effects of luteolin on cell models of breast and endometrial cancer. In one experiment, the luteolin supplement blocked the increase of progesterone that promotes breast cancer. However, in the endometrial cancer cell model, the luteolin acted like an estrogen to directly stimulate cancer cell growth.

"Even outside these specific findings with cancer, what we're saying is that flavonoids are active and not always in good or even predictable ways," says Steven K. Nordeen, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and professor emeritus in the Department of Pathology at the CU School of Medicine.

He points out that "nutraceuticals" -- which include flavonoid and other active-ingredient supplements -- aren't FDA-regulated to the same degree as medicines. This allows manufacturers to market supplements without fully testing the products for efficacy or potential side effects.

"I'm not saying that flavonoids in a normal, plant-rich diet are bad," Dr. Nordeen says, "but caution is warranted when consuming additional flavonoids via supplements. Because flavonoid supplements are widely used, we need to do the research necessary to understand their effects, both desirable and undesirable, in consumers using these products. We shouldn't be taking this stuff blindly because, just like prescription medicines, there can be unanticipated consequences."

Through examining brain tissue, researchers said that they found similarities between certain mental illnesses, including autism and schizophrenia, and similar patterns of gene expression were found in people with autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

According to a news story from University of California Riverside, a simple guessing game of "Pick a hand, any hand" may offer some important clues as to how and why children with autism are less social than their schoolyard peers.

How has autism affected your life? It's difficult for many parents, but be filled with hope and refuse to give up. See how this mother is successfully coping while caring for his autistic child and learning new things and teaching him news things.

Scientific observations, just out of the lab, are implying that prozac curbs some symptoms of autism in mice, and are speculating that the drug should be tried in infants in the future. But, other studies on the pathology of autism, leads to the conclusion that prozac should not be used for children diagnosed with autism. Here is what we know so far about autism.